21/04-04   -   Pressmeddelande

Microsoft Becomes Preferred Platform in the Nordic Market, Says IDC

According to IDC research studies, Nordic companies now prefer Microsoft.NET to J2EE as a development platform and application server. The majority of Nordic companies are now using Microsoft.NET as a platform for applications, preferring it to the open standard J2EE, which to date has been the dominant development platform promoted by IBM, BEA, Oracle, and Sun. IDC estimates that 35% of all Nordic companies are using .NET today, while approximately 25% are using J2EE. Measured by revenue, however, J2EE is still the market leader due to a strong position among the largest companies.

.NET and J2EE are the base technologies for implementing a so-called service-based architecture in companies through which otherwise separate systems communicate with each other and which enable machine-to-machine communication with suppliers and customers. "The conclusive move from Microsoft has been to connect .NET closely with Windows. As most companies use Windows, either as an operating system on file servers or for office automation, the connection with the operating system has been what has really brought .NET to the companies," said Karsten Fogh Ho-Lanng, a senior analyst with IDC.

Currently, .NET and J2EE are among the most eagerly discussed standards among IT executives, and the choice between them has almost become a matter of principle.

"Microsoft is working really hard to reach the larger companies with its new operating system, Microsoft Server 2003, while J2EE suppliers are launching product packages aimed at small and midsize companies, where Microsoft has its base," said Fogh Ho-Lanng.

The results of IDC´s research have been published in .NET vs. J2EE in the Nordic Region — Market Perspectives (IDC #N560471L, April 2004) and .NET vs. J2EE — Essential Guidance and Future insight for Nordic Companies (IDC #N560472L, April 2004). The studies analyze the factors that drive market demand for development platforms and application servers.


To purchase these studies, please contact your local IDC office or one of the following:
Andreas Lange, Denmark, +45 39 16 22 43
Pelle Hallberg, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Nordic, +46 8 751 0415

Alternatively, please visit www.idc.com